About
the ReportWohlers Report
2006 offers a worldwide review and analysis of additive fabrication (also known as rapid prototyping). The technology encompasses modeling, prototyping, tooling, and series production applications. The report covers the growing range of applications and technologies, as well as the challenges that organizations face when trying to understand and make use of this fast-developing technology.

The
report was developed with input from 47
co-authors, 53 service
providers, 27 system manufacturers, and many others worldwide. To
support the review and analysis, the softbound publication includes 26
charts and graphs, 44 tables, 131 photographs and illustrations, and seven appendices.
This
annual study has established a tradition of covering all facets of
additive fabrication, including business,
product, market, technology, research, and application.

Wohlers Report
2006 addresses many facets of
additive fabrication, including its history, the wide mix of applications,
the industries embracing the technology, annual revenues from products and
services, growth estimates, sales forecasts, and investor information. It
also provides current information on trends and developments in the areas
of service providers, system manufacturers, cast metal parts, direct metal
fabrication, advanced approaches to tooling, and exciting new applications
of rapid manufacturing.

This
report provides updates on new developments in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and
other parts of the world, follows the growth of CAD solid modeling,
reports on the advances in materials used for additive processes,
highlights opportunities in medical modeling, and lists applications and
technologies for 3D scanning and reverse engineering.

The final parts of
the report cover emerging technologies, government-sponsored research and
development, and college and university education and research. Wohlers
Report 2006 concludes with a discussion on the future of additive
fabrication—where it is headed and what to expect—to assist in
strategic planning and investing.

What
Others are Saying
"It is taking some time to get through your report because I'm
underlining all the useful information and using it in my company's
internal reports. Thanks, ... it is really a fantastic job."
Dr. Livia Cevolini, CRP Technology (Italy)

"The 2006 report is a real mine of information. It is impressive how
you manage to collate all this information."
Dr. Mike Shellabear, EOS (Germany)

"Your report was very highly valued as we conducted our due diligence prior to acquiring Z Corp. It is highly professional and understandable, even to those new to this industry."
Steen Borg, CEO, The Contex Group (Denmark)

"Terry Wohlers is the spokesperson
for the overall rapid prototyping industry. Every year, he publishes the
Wohlers Report, a comprehensive rundown of advances. He represents
better than anyone else the mainstream prototyping industry."
Preston Smith, Lead Co-author of Developing
Products in Half the Time

"I
have purchased market reports in other industries for $30,000 that do
not contain as much information.
The purchase of the Wohlers Report every year is a no-brainer."
Gilles Desharnais, Intermag-Modelex

"The Wohlers Report is
the world's best compilation of activity in the field."
Dr. David Bourell, University
of Texas at Austin

“The
wealth of information is astounding, but not as astounding as the amount
of research that must be performed each year to put it together."
Al Dean, Prototype Magazine
(England)

“I found
it extremely useful in the preparation of a presentation to
upper management. Also,
the report has caught the interest of many of my colleagues in
R&D."
Patrick Roth, Elkay
Manufacturing Company

"His extremely comprehensive annual report is considered the
definitive analysis of the rapid prototyping world and is
highly recommended."
David Cohn, Engineering Automation
Report

"Nothing comes close to the authoritative and comprehensive nature of
this annually-updated report. It has something for everybody and I highly
recommend it."
Jeffrey Rowe, MCADCafe.com

"The
report was priceless in developing our business plan."
Jason Epstein, Ionic Models

"I use it as a reference for any and all rapid prototyping questions I get that I
cannot answer on my own. It is the most resourceful and complete
publication we had ever seen."
Kristopher Matson, St. Louis Community College

“I
was in the market for a new machine for rapid prototyping and bought the report as an
insurance policy.It
definitely paid off.”
Kurt Blankemeyer, GTO

“The report offers the most up-to-date
information that is available to us and it continues to improve each
year.”
Ranji Vaidyanathan, Advanced Ceramics
Research, Inc.

"It’s
a great, concise report that covers the globe.I don’t know of any other document that is as complete."
Tom Greaves, New Directions Consulting

"You are providing a valuable service to the industry."
Brent Ragsdale, Hallmark

"As always, you have done a spectacular job collecting information
from around the world on our ever-changing industry. I commend you on the
depth and breadth of your labors."
Marina Hatsopoulos, founder of Z Corp.

"Very
easy to read. It gave me just what I was looking for."
Douglas Freitag, Bayside Materials
Technology

"Whether one is thinking of purchasing a prototyping device, checking into
the sales of a particular company for investment purposes, or just
desiring more information, Wohlers' report delivers at every level."
Joe Greco, Desktop Engineering Magazine

"It is comprehensive, well organized, and well written. We will
be pouring over the details for some time to come."
Mike Rynerson, Ex One Corp.

“The
report gave me the best and most concise view of the industry.”
Reagan Hogerty, Jordan Industries, Inc.

"The section on rapid tooling is particularly interesting. Wohlers
systematically looks at all the competing technologies on the market today
and provides detailed information on how to best apply each of them."Engineering Automation Report

"I
wonder if the industry knows how fortunate it is to have this mirror? Few
industries of this size and complexity have access to this level of
data."
Ed Grenda, Castle Island Company

"The report has become a virtual
"Bible" of rapid prototyping ... comprehensive and well organized ... and is
highly recommended."
David Cohn, Engineering Automation
Report

“I've
just finished reading through the report and I have to say I'm impressed
with the shear quantity of information it contains. It has become the
bible to those looking at rapid prototyping and related technologies."
Al Dean, MCAD Magazine and the
CADserver (England)